Musselman to interview

Memphis assistant Eric Musselman will be in town this week to talk about the Magic's coaching job.

May 10, 2005|By Brian Schmitz, Sentinel Staff Writer

The Orlando Magic will bring Eric Musselman to Orlando to talk to him about their head-coaching job and might wrap up their interviews by late next week, league sources told the Sentinel.

One former NBA assistant coach said he believes the Magic "could decide next week" who their coach might be and announce it later.

If that's the case, it would mean the Magic are not interested in talking to a coach whose team is in the playoffs -- or they have already interviewed him or made contact.

Musselman, 40, a former Magic assistant, has been a candidate all along and will interview with the club this week.

Orlando apparently is not alone in competition for Musselman's services.

According to league sources, the Cleveland Cavaliers have also intensified their interest in him.

Musselman is a former head coach with the Golden State Warriors and now is an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies.

He could not be reached for comment at his office Monday in Memphis, Tenn.

One NBA executive, who asked not to be identified, told the Sentinel that the Magic were also interested in former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders.

Saunders has been linked in media reports to more high profile teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.

Magic General Manager John Weisbrod is not commenting on the coaching search.

Musselman, Saunders, San Antonio Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo, New Jersey Nets assistant Brian Hill, former Portland Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks and former Cavaliers coach Paul Silas are some of the names being bandied about as candidates for the Magic job.

Carlesimo is still coaching in the postseason, as is Seattle SuperSonics Coach Nate McMillan, who is in the final year of his contract.

The Spurs said Monday that Carlesimo -- who expressed interest in the Knicks' job recently -- is no longer commenting about his availability for other openings.

Phil Jackson is believed to be out of the running in Orlando -- if he was ever in it. According to published reports, Jackson will decide on whether to return to the Los Angeles Lakers or take over the New York Knicks or stay retired.

The Magic's interim coach, Chris Jent, was interviewed again last Friday. This time Weisbrod was joined by his two right-hand men -- Otis Smith, director of player development, and Dave Twardzik, director of player personnel.

"I felt it went well," Jent said on Monday from Oregon, where he is vacationing. "They made me feel they were interested and wanted to know my philosophies and how I would handle things.

"I'm just going to sit tight."

Jent said he expects a decision to be made on his candidacy late next week.

Weisbrod had said that he was not high on hiring a college coach, citing the struggles of those who made the leap to the NBA. Several, such as Rick Pitino, have experience as NBA head coaches, however.

The Sentinel learned Monday that the Magic have not asked for permission to talk to Pitino, head coach at Louisville.

Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich said via e-mail, "No, I have not been contacted by the Magic or any other teams regarding Coach Pitino. Thanks for your interest."